Introducing the girl behind the camera

Hello my loves! First of all, I'd like to personally thank you for stopping by and checking out my work and blog. Since my main focus is to capture everlasting memories, I've decided to let you know a little about the girl behind the camera. Right now I'm an inspiring photographer who only wants my love, passion and knowledge for photography to grow. I will strive to bring unique and beautiful moments to life through my camera lens & I always want your experience to be fun and relaxing!

They say a pictures worth a thousands words, and it's my goal to write you a novel every time I get behind my camera.

 

 

how it all started....

Let's be honest here. Who didn't, or should I say doesn't, love getting dressed up and taking pictures? I was the little girl who LOVED being in front of a camera, but that's not all. In my childhood, I would have friends over, do their hair and make up and make them be my model for the day. In fact, at one point in time being a beautician was what "I wanted to be when I grew up".

I realized how in love with photography I was 5 years ago while taking a yearbook class in high school (which was supposed to be one of those classes that you only sign up for because it seemed like an easy elective credit). What started as a class, turned into a hobby and that hobby grew into an obsession. I still think that I would have discovered my passion for photography either way, but it definitely gave me that extra boost in the right direction. To this day, I'm so very thankful that I signed up for that "easy" class. Now I welcome any and every opportunity to be behind my camera.

On Valentines Day in 2010, my wonderful husband and handsome little man surprised me with my very first DSLR camera. I owe them so much for supporting and believing in my photography dream every step of the way.

{ photo provided by MAC Photography - http://www.facebook.com/MACxxPhotography?fref=ts }

 

 

i love you always...

 



On January 4th, 2008, thirteen days after turning 18, my boyfriend asked me to marry him and I said yes! He replied, "right now".... We quickly got ready and eloped within minutes. That spur of the moment, crazy idea, turned out to be one of the best decisions of my life. This past January we celebrated 5 wonderful years together. 
Two weeks after graduating high school I moved to Washington D.C. where my husband was stationed the first 4 years of his military career. Talk about lost. I came from a small town of 137 people... ok, extremely small town. I was used to gravel roads, beautiful views, swimming in creeks and living with-in a few mile radius of my family and friends- Not interstates, smoggy skies, rude taxi cab drivers and of course being 1,000 miles away from where I grew up. It was a scary experience at first, but as time passed by I grew accustom to the different living styles. I was even called "worldly" once. The last 4 years of my husband career he was stationed in Jacksonville, NC. Again, I was lost at first but finally opened up and explored the idea of living in a new area. I was lucky enough to meet some amazing people, who I know will remain life long friends.

 

 

 

our blessing...

 







In early March of 2009, Cody left for predeployment training, leaving me by myself in an unknown land for 6 weeks. The moment he left on the long plane ride from NC to CA, I discovered we were expecting. Talk about the longest 8 hours of my life! Honestly, I'm not sure how burn holes weren't carved into our carpet from all my pacing back and forth. When he finally called after landing, I literally screamed "I'm PREGNANT!!" at the top of my lungs. After holding something that exciting in for 8 hours, it felt amazing to finally say it.
Soon after that we started brainstorming names. For a girl we picked Carlie Rose (after my Pawpaw Charlie) and Graiden Hunter (I liked Grader but my husband liked Aiden.. We came to the conclusion of joining the two together. Hunter after Cody's dads middle name and his grandpas first name).
We were ecstatic! Only to soon realize that he was deploying in 2 months. Due to his deployment he missed everything. Ultrasounds, hearing the babies heart beat, discovering we were having a boy, my cravings for sour skittles, the first kick, labor and in the end, the birth of our son. During my husbands deployment, he lost his Sgt., Ryan Lane, was KIA during military operations. When Cody called to tell my about his passing, he asked if we could change Graidens middle name to Ryan and of course I said yes.
One month and 1 day after Graiden Ryan was brought into our lives, Cody returned home from a long 7 month deployment and met our son for the first time. It was one of the happiest moments of our lives.
Fast forwarding 3 years- Words cannot describe how much Cody and I love Graiden. He has a personality like nothing I've ever seen. He makes us smile uncontrollably and laugh until it hurts. I know that he's going to grow up and make a huge impact of several of the lives around him. After all, he's only 3 now and has already changed our lives completely.

2014 Senior Spokesmodel Information & Application

We are now seeking Senior Spokesmodels for the Class of 2014. If you are currently a junior (guy or gal) and interested in becoming a spokesmodel, please read on...

What's a Senior Spokesmodel?
A Senior Spokesmodel is someone who is fun, outgoing, creative, driven & most of all, LOVES to be in front of a camera. Do you have what it takes? Do you want incredible senior pictures? If so, you may be our next Senior Spokesmodel!!!

Let's make a deal-
So, I'm sure you're wondering "what's the catch"? Well, it's simple really. If you are chosen, you will receive an on location session (setting of your choice) for FREE!! Yes, that's right FREE!! In return we ask that you show off all your pictures and spread the word about Sarah Elizabeth Photography to all your friends and family. You will also have a small story published about you in our blog, b/c we want everyone to know why we picked you of course.

Parental Consent-
Please note that parental or guardian consent is required to participate.

Interested?
Below is our Senior Spokesmodel Application. Deadline is July 15th. Please copy and paste the application, fill out and send email back to sarahelizabeth.photography22@gmail.com 


Applications for the Class of 2014 Senior Spokesmodels are accepted by students of the following high schools:

- Arcadia Valley High School
- Bismarck High School
- Central High School
- Fredericktown High School
- Kingston High School
- North St. Francios County High School
- Ste. Genevieve High School
- Potosi High School
- Valle Catholic High School
- Viburnum High School
- West St. Francious High School

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Sarah Elizabeth Photography / Class of 2014 Senior Spokesmodel Application

Deadline: April 30^th,2013

*Name-

*Phone Number-

*Email-

*Which high school do you attend?-

*Why do you want to be a Senior Spokesmodel for Sarah Elizabeth Photography?-

 

 

 

 

*Activities/Hobbies/Interests-

 

 

 

 

*Describe your personal style & tell me something interesting about yourself-

 

 

 

*List a few friends (please include email or number) from other high schools in the area that you think would also make great Spokesmodels for Sarah Elizabeth Photography-

 

 

Return Applications & Picture to- sarahelizabeth.photography22@gmail.com

Questions/Assistance- (573) 330-4648

* Required

The Olivia Act Recipient- The Eric Boyer Family

"The Olivia Act is named after one of the children killed in Newtown. Olivia’s family had family pictures taken a short time before she was killed on that horrible day. Upon hearing about this, a photographer was moved to give away a family photo shoot and has challenged other photographers to do the same. I know that not all families have the resources to have photos taken and I'd love 2013 to be ...the year for one of them. I will be taking nominations for a family who you think would appreciate this timeless gift. The session will take place sometime after the new year into Spring. Email me your nominations at sarahelizabeth.photography22@gmail.com or send them to me in a message including a brief message on who you're nominating and the reason you think they would love this. The family chosen will be contacted via phone call, so please include their phone number as well! Please email me by December 31. Please SHARE this status so your friends and family will know too! Can't wait to gift a family with these memories that can't be replaced or taken away!"

 

This is the status that several photographers were posting just a few short days after the horrific shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. Once the word of the Act got out, it spread like wildfire to photographers all over the United States, North America and before you know it even the whole world. Nominations were accepted until December 31st, 2012 at midnight. After that, I looked read through all those stories. Stories of all colors, each touching my heart in a different way. It was so hard to pick a family that is "more deserving" than another, and really I don't like putting it like that because all of the stories, every single one, seemed more than deserving. In the end, I went with the two stories that my heart was leaning to.

 This morning I received word back from one of the two families that I had chosen as the recipients of The Olivia Act. The Eric Boyer Family. Words cannot describe how happy I am to have received several nominations for them. Samantha, Eric's wife, agreed to let me share their story with you.

The Eric Boyer Family

 "Me & Eric have been together 9 years we just celebrated our 7 year wedding anniversary on December 1st. We have tried for a child for 8 1/2 years, I have miscarried 4 times. I have poly cystic ovarian syndrome so it was hard to conceive and every time we did I'd miscarry. In the spring we learned I was pregnant and already almost out of the 1st trimester we were so over joyed. Eric had been having a lot of tailbone pain & we had went to several different ER around here even St. Anthony's Eric traveled with his work. So it was hard to get in reg doctor never knew when or how long he'd b home. On October 16th he was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer that had spread significantly to his liver dr was amazed. He was walking, let alone had been working( he said he had to work we had our baby girl on the way). Tumor in colon was 13 cm. I was 9 months pregnant. My due date was October 18, 2 days away. We were devastated( his mom passed away from colon cancer n 2007). We just knew god would heal him. We knew we had a hard road but not impossible. We have a lot of faith. We were released on the October 19th and he continued his radiation as out patient. On October 28th we were blessed with our beautiful angle Grace Mae. From day  one he was so in love with her as she was him. Eric got a bacteria infection called c-diff ( it attacks the colon & bowel where his cancer was). Grace was now 3 weeks old and we had to leave her with my mom while he was n hospital I would never leave his side. His colon was very swelled from bacteria there was a lot of complications after 6 weeks he started to improve the dr said being home for holidays was very realistic goal. On December 20th his colon perforated from being so big for so long and they had to do surgery or it would have been fatal. The surgery was very high risk & with him there was a lot more risk due to his condition. Once again we knew god would give us a miracle. Surgery was done & Eric blood pressure had dropped & they couldn't get it stable. They told me he wouldn't make it threw the night. His BP started getting better so I just knew he would pull threw god wouldn't give us grace then take him from us. The next day his BP started dropping again & heart rate as well. I laid there beside him & told him I knew if he had a choice he wouldn't leave me & grace & I know how hard he had fought but it was ok I didn't want him n pain ( by that time he had slipped into a coma). Tears dropped from his eyes as I told him I loved him & then he was gone. I believe he was waiting for me to tell him it was ok to go. Dr said they didn't know how he made it threw the night. I had been telling him to find the strength to keep fighting b/c grace & I need him, but I couldn't b selfish anymore he was suffering & I didn't want that. He was the one true love of my life, my soulmate & best friend. We were never apart we did everything together. He was 33. I never imagined my life without him and with a 9 week old baby we tried so long for. It seems like my life has ended. On Christmas Day we had to take grace to ER & she was transferred to children's for the next 2 days. We spend her 1st Xmas without her daddy & in the hospital. I missed Eric visitation I know he would kick my butt if I would have left her. I know he is here with us in spirit and will watch over us. We were released on the day of his funeral. Financially we struggled he didn't have health insurance & he was our provider. If it would was not for the support of our family I don't know what I would do. There will not b a day or sec that goes by that my heart does not break especially for grace her dad was / is an amazing man so kind, generous, and loving. He would do anything for anyone. I tell her everyday how much her dad loves her & she is daddy's little princess and will do so everyday I am on this earth. I will never understand why god took him from us but I find comfort looking into grace's face she looks so much like him. I know one day we will b together again he will hold me tight, kiss me on the forehead like he always does tell me he love me & we will never have to let go of each other. He is my best friend and the one true love of my life. Nothing will ever be normal again & I don't know how to b without him. I know I will hold grace tight and find peace someday. I never wanted him to suffer but I never wanted to lose him. This has been a very bitter sweet time of my life. I cannot thank u for what u r doing telling our story & the photos."

 - Samantha Boyer